With Strictly Come Dancing set to return to our screens next month, Delta Goodrem has fixed her eyes on a couple of pro dancers and says there’s an important reason why
Worried Delta Goodrem needs help from Strictly producers(Image: Getty Images)
Delta Goodrem says she can’t wait to throw herself into Strictly Come Dancing, but has one major concern heading into the new series.
The award-winning singer-songwriter was the third celebrity contestant confirmed for the show back in June, and with her ballroom bow expected to be next month, she has been discussing her hopes and her fears with the countdown now on.
Last week, former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips became the latest star to be announced. He joins the likes of reality TV’s Dani Dyer, House of the Dragon actress Bethany Antonia, Paralympian cyclist Dame Sarah Storey, TV host Will Best and hair stylist Chris Appleton.
It’s all change elsewhere, too. Johannes Radebe, Emma Willis and Josh Widdecombe replace long-term hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who departed at the end of the last season.
They won’t be the only new faces. Strictly also revealed five new professional dancers after a “bloodbath” at the show saw some huge names axed.
Mark Karmalita, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby, Aleksandra Isaeva, Mark Karmalita, Lethabo Monametsi, and Cristian Priori are replacing Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas as producers freshen things up.
But Delta needs some help from bosses as she revealed one of her fears going into the new series.
The former Neighbours star told the Independent, “excited to dive into the Strictly glitz and glamour” – but she really would “love to be” paired with a pro dancer who is taller than her because she “doesn’t really want to be the one that has to lift people”.
The odds are stacked in the 5ft 10ins Born to Try hitmaker’s favour. Only Aljaž Skorjanec and Kai Widdrington are 6ft or over.
She went on to tell the publication: “I love the glamour of it! My music has always been very piano-driven so this is my opportunity to learn something new and then I can take it on tour with me.”
Delta shot to fame when she starred as aspiring singer Nina Tucker on Neighbours and then went onto a major pop career with hits such as Innocent Eyes and Born To Try, and, along with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Holly Valance and Natalie Imbruglia, is part of a cohort of stars who started out on the Australian soap before going onto conquer the music industry.
The mulit-talented singer and actress said that she sees the competition as a chance to “grow” as a performer while bringing something fresh to her live gigs too.
After signing up, she said: “I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from TV, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world.
“There is, however, one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor. I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started.”
In yet another change for the 2026 series, as It Takes Two hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East will no longer be on the show. It has not been revealed who will take over the spin-off’s hosting positions.
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